PETER AND THE STARCATCHER at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

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PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, the most magical evening of madcap fun, is now on tour! Hailed by The New York Times as “THE MOST EXHILARATING STORYTELLING ON BROADWAY IN DECADES,” this comedy takes a hilarious romp through the Neverland you never knew. The winner of 5 Tony Awards®, this swashbuckling prequel to Peter Pan will have you hooked from the moment you let your imagination take flight. PETER AND THE STARCATCHER is the innovative and imaginative comedy based on the best-selling novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. A company of a dozen actors play more than a hundred unforgettable characters, all on a journey to answer the century-old question: How did Peter Pan become The Boy Who Never Grew Up? This epic origin story of popular culture’s most enduring and beloved character proves that your imagination is the most captivating place in the world.

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER provides a humorous and fantastical backstory for the beloved character of Peter Pan and his arch-nemesis Captain Hook. In this wickedly imaginative play, we meet a poor orphaned child on the high seas simply called Boy because, in the absence of a mother and a father, he was never given a name. His sad and lonely world is turned upside down when he meets Molly. The daughter of famous Starcatcher Lord Astor, our heroine is on a mission to save the world and protect a treasure trunk filled with magical star stuff from getting into the hands of evil and greedy pirate Black Stache. As they travel aboard the Neverland ship headed for a faraway land, Molly and Boy learn about love, friendship and forge an unbreakable bond.

Like the legend of Peter Pan himself, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER inspires the audience to stretch the limits of their imagination with inventive use of props and lighting. Instead of an elaborate set, scattered about the stage are the sort of knickknacks one might find in a junkyard. With just a ladder, rope, three treasure chests, two model ships and other clever materials, a company of 12 actors embodies more than 100 unforgettable characters and transport theatergoers to the land of make believe. Although the play is not considered a musical, Molly, Boy, Black Stache and the rest of the colorful characters randomly burst into songs composed by Wayne Barker, creating a show that is whimsical and enchanting.

Authors

• Dave Barry
• Rick Elice
• Ridley Pearson
• Wayne Barker

Ages: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER is perfect for kids ages 10 and up (no children under four will be admitted). While the play does include some pop culture references and sophisticated dialogue that might fly over the heads of very young children, the coming-of age-tale explores first loves, first kisses and the secret desire we all have to stay young forever.